By Robert Barron Staff Writer
The recently approved Crosslin Park tennis court project that has been part of the Enid Park Board plan for several years may soon become a reality.
Carolyn Nicholas, president of Enid Park Board, said there are several reasons to build the tennis courts. But mostly, it’s because of the popularity of tennis in Enid, and the fact there aren’t enough courts.
The project will cost about $50,000 per tennis court, she said.
The new courts are designed to be done in as many as three phases for a total of eight courts. They will be placed in an area of the park south of Seventh-Day Ad-ventist Church. Depending on costs, four courts will be built in the first phase and two each in phases two and three.
To finish all eight courts the board will need another $250,000 by April, Nicholas said. Dona-tions are tax deductible.
The complex was first attempted in the early 1980s by John Williams, who was a tennis pro at Oakwood Country Club. That project failed due to a lack of support from city commissioners, Nicholas said.
Dr. Don Johnson established the Enid Tennis Association Tennis Complex Endowment Fund. Until 2006 the endowment was unavailable because it was in the form of real estate. That real estate recently sold, giving the endowment about $60,000 in cash for seed money for the construction of a new tennis complex in Enid.
The fund is managed by an Enid law firm. Nicholas indicated a donation from St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center also could be received.
Robert Cummins Foundation donated $25,000, and some donors from the Enid tennis community also have helped increase the funding for the project, Nicholas said.
Recently, Enid Park Board applied for a $150,000 grant from the United States Tennis Association.
A decision on construction will be made in April. Bids requests have been advertised for the tennis complex and Nicholas said either four or eight courts will be built, depending on cost estimates. Construction is expected to take 60-90 days, she said.
“There is a good shot we could get eight built, but we will do either four or eight in Phase 1,” Nicholas said.
She said both Oklahoma Bible Academy and Chisholm schools want to start tennis programs, plus Enid High School and Enid’s junior high schools want extended tennis courts. Enid High has four or five courts that presently are not in good condition.
Nicholas said most of the city’s tennis courts are located away from more rapidly growing areas of Enid and are inconvenient for some people.
“Tennis is one of the new life sports that people can enjoy from age 6 to 90,” she said. Former Enid Police Chief Glenn Harmon, at age 83, still is very active in the adult tennis leagues. She emphasized tennis is a less expensive sport than others since it only takes a tennis racquet and tennis balls.
Part of the tennis court project is to build a wind block for the courts. Existing courts do not have adequate wind blocking. The 9th Street courts are located on a hill, as are the courts at Meadowlake Park, she said.
“A four-court complex would help, but could not be used for tournament play or for high school tennis. A minimum of eight courts is needed to play tournament bracket and six courts for high school,” she said.
The courts were designed by Enid tennis players, including Larry McClure, Coni Blankenship and Bruce Hess.
Nicholas indicated the new courts will be shaded.
